What is effective communication? Well, I consider communication to be effective when it is a success. When does it is considered a success?, you may ask. Well, when the communication is effective and both receiver and sender both understand the messenge being transferred without any misunderstandings or ambiguties. In otherwords, communication is effective when it has done its job, whether the medium. It is a bit like martial arts in which success is defined as defeating your opponent. No point in trying to do all those flowery moves when you are going down at your opponent's first punch.
Effective communication is certainly important in the workplace. From getting the job to keeping a job, there is a need for good communication skills.Effective communication covers a wide range of skills ranging from writing the application letter, passing the job interview before getting the job to skills ranging from giving presentations and writing work related emailsafter you get the job.
Why is communication skills important? Well, firstly, you won't want to commit any serious errors and gaffaws. This can usually be prevented by knowing about your audience For example, this is one very entertaining error (from http://www.work911.com/communication/oopsnigeria.htm)
Missionaries in Africa used a lot of songs and hymns in their missionary work. Unfortunately, they did not realize that intonation in Nigeria could completely change the meanings of the words and music.
"The words were correctly translated, but the tones and pitches were not. For example, the Igbo people of Nigeria learned to sing the second verse of "Oh, Come All Ye Faithful." They were thought to be singing "Very God, begotten not created, but the actual meaning was "God's pig, which is never shared". Another hymn with the words "There is no sorrow in Heaven" came out "There is no egg on the bicycle"
Laugh!!!! But the sad thing about this is it could be all be prevented with a bit more research and awareness on African cultural context. I can bet that the missionaires probably saw the Africans sniggering at the sermon without understanding why. Thus, having knowledge and communications skills learnt from the course can prevent me from having misunderstandings and communicatiom breakdowns at the workplace.
Secondly, as noted communication skills are essential in the workplace. In the long term, I will lose out if I am lacking in communication in the workplace. I might lose out on a promotion and career progression if i do not perform well due to my lack of communication skills. In the short term, I need communication skills to perform in my CCA as well and to work with my president and my editors and writers.
Lastly, learning communications skills makes my life smoother as I can have less disagreements and interpersonal mishaps. I would be far happier overall.
